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United States Patent |
6,049,987
|
Robell
|
April 18, 2000
|
Gridded measurement system for construction materials
Abstract
An improved system and method of gridded measurement for the cutting of
construction materials which comprises the imprinting of visually precise
commonly used measurement markings upon the surfaces of construction
materials during the manufacturing process to save time and improve the
accuracy of cutting the construction materials on a job site wherein the
improvement lies in the use of a plurality of non-perimeter horizontal and
vertical unit measurement markings; protractor markings; and inverted
numerals, informational markings, nailing guides, product specification
markings, and curved lines. Angled cuts may be easily made by cutting
along the opposite corners of a predetermined number of grids counted in
both horizontal and vertical directions, through use of the protractor
markings, or a combination of both. In preferred embodiments unit markings
are numbered for quick dimensional reference and visually precise
fractional markings are also used. The lines for commonly used markings
may be highlighted, darkened, doubled, tripled, dashed or dotted, colored,
or otherwise enhanced for easy recognition. Applications may include, but
are not limited to, use on structural and non-structural panels such as
wallboard, shower board, oriented strand board (OSB), insulation, fire
retardant panel products, gypsum board, plywood, and other substantially
rectangular material which must be cut to exact measurements on a
construction job site.
Inventors:
|
Robell; Glenn (2621 SW. 167.sup.th Pl., Seattle, WA 98166)
|
Appl. No.:
|
008408 |
Filed:
|
January 17, 1998 |
Current U.S. Class: |
33/1B; 33/566 |
Intern'l Class: |
G01B 003/00 |
Field of Search: |
33/1 B,1 BB,1 G,1 K,1 F,1 SD,1 N,404,411,194,494,562,563,566
52/105
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2375427 | May., 1945 | Mannino | 33/1.
|
3270421 | Sep., 1966 | Jones | 33/759.
|
4779346 | Oct., 1988 | Schafer | 33/1.
|
4858402 | Aug., 1989 | Putz | 52/105.
|
4870788 | Oct., 1989 | Hassan | 52/105.
|
4924644 | May., 1990 | Lewis | 52/105.
|
5195249 | Mar., 1993 | Jackson | 33/1.
|
5282317 | Feb., 1994 | Carter et al. | 33/1.
|
5638605 | Jun., 1997 | Sligar | 33/494.
|
5673489 | Oct., 1997 | Robell | 33/1.
|
5673490 | Oct., 1997 | Hill | 33/1.
|
5819422 | Oct., 1998 | Schafer | 33/1.
|
5842280 | Dec., 1998 | Robell | 33/566.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
529509 | Jun., 1955 | IT | 33/1B.
|
590105 | Aug., 1947 | GB | 33/1B.
|
1578521 | Nov., 1980 | GB | 33/1B.
|
Primary Examiner: Bennett; G. Bradley
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Morse; Dorothy S.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part application filed under 37 CFR
1.53 (b)(1) and based upon the earlier non-provisional patent application
Ser. No. 08/944,385, filed by applicant on Oct. 6, 1997. Patent
application Ser. No. 08/944,385, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,280, issued Dec.
1, 1998, is a divisional application based upon the disclosure provided by
applicant in his U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,489 which issued on Oct. 7, 1997.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An improved added measurement system for use on at least one surface of
a substantially rectangular piece of construction material so as to
provide a visually precise means for fast and accurate cutting and
installing of construction materials whereby use thereof will reduce
construction costs by minimizing the amount of labor required to measure
construction materials, secure said construction materials in place, as
well as minimize material waste due to inaccurate cutting of the piece of
construction material, said improved gridded measurement system comprising
a plurality of visually precise horizontal unit measurement markings and a
plurality of visually precise perimeter vertical unit measurement
markings, a plurality of successively higher visually precise numbers
associated with said horizontal unit measurements markings and said
vertical unit measurements markings, a plurality of visually precise grid
markings substantially filling the central portion of the construction
material, said system also comprising marking means for visually precise
marking of said unit measurement markings, said grid markings, and said
successively higher numbers onto the construction material surface, said
system further comprising two each of said horizontal unit measurement
markings and said vertical unit measurement markings being positioned
around the perimeter of the piece of construction material and the
remainder of said horizontal unit measurement markings and said vertical
unit measurement markings being positioned uniformly throughout the
central portion of the piece of construction material to form
non-perimeter horizontal and vertical unit measurement markings, wherein
the improvements comprise a plurality of visually precise inverted
numerals, each of said inverted numerals being identical to one of said
numerals and placed in a position close thereto and each of said grid
markings also having a spaced apart horizontal distance from the next
adjacent one of said grid markings which is identical to the dimension of
said horizontal unit measurement markings and a spaced apart vertical
distance from the next adjacent one of said grid markings which is
identical to the dimension of said vertical unit measurement markings.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of additional
horizontal and vertical unit measurement markings each having a plurality
of successively higher numbers associated therewith, each of said
additional horizontal measurement markings positioned adjacent to one of
said horizontal unit measurement markings in an inverted position thereto,
and each of said additional vertical measurement markings positioned
adjacent to one of said vertical unit measurement markings in an inverted
position thereto.
3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of additional
horizontal and vertical unit measurement markings each having a plurality
of successively higher numbers associated therewith, each of said
additional horizontal measurement markings positioned adjacent to one of
said horizontal unit measurement markings in a position where said
successively higher numbers of each of said additional horizontal
measurement markings are in reverse order relative to said successively
higher numbers of the one of said horizontal unit measurement markings
positioned adjacent thereto, and each of said additional vertical
measurement markings positioned adjacent to one of said vertical unit
measurement markings in a position where said successively higher numbers
of each of said additional vertical measurement markings are in reverse
order relative to said successively higher numbers of the one of said
vertical unit measurement markings positioned adjacent thereto.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein said successively higher numbers of each
of said additional horizontal measurement markings are in reverse order
relative to said successively higher numbers of the one of said horizontal
unit measurement markings positioned adjacent thereto, and wherein said
successively higher numbers of each of said additional vertical
measurement markings are in reverse order relative to said successively
higher numbers of the one of said vertical unit measurement markings
positioned adjacent thereto.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said visually precise horizontal and
vertical unit measurement markings are dimensioned for application to
pieces of construction material selected from a group consisting of sheets
having all combinations of length and width dimensions ranging between
approximately one foot and thirty-six feet and a thickness dimension
ranging between a minimum of approximately one-eighth of an inch and a
maximum of approximately four inches.
6. The system of claim 5 further configured for application to pieces of
construction material selected from a group consisting of engineered wood
products including oriented strand board (OSB); fiber cement products;
combination products comprising both fiber cement and wood fiber;
cementatious products; products comprising radiant barriers;
tongue-and-groove panel products; panel products with one or more ship-lap
type edges on one side; panel products with one or more ship-lap type
edges on both sides; panel products with paint grade type faces; panel
products with decorative paintable faces consisting of grooved patterns;
and panel products with decorative paintable faces consisting of various
wood grain textures including T-111.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein said unit measurement markings comprise
visually precise one inch markings.
8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of visually precise
fractional measurement markings positioned on the construction material
surface between said perimeter horizontal unit measurement markings and
also between said perimeter vertical unit measurement markings.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein said visually precise fractional
measurement markings are laser cut with flexigraphic plates and are
accurate to at least approximately one-one-thousandth of an inch.
10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of highlighted
markings positioned in both horizontal and vertical directions on top of
the ones of said unit measurement markings which are commonly used in
construction so that said highlighted markings may be quickly referenced
by a user.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein said highlighted markings are selected
from a group consisting of color enhanced markings, multiple color
markings, fluorescent markings, multiple lines, dotted lines, lines
comprising a plurality of identical figures uniformly spaced apart from
one another, lines comprising a plurality of non-identical figures
uniformly spaced apart from one another, and dashed lines having a
plurality of segments identical in length and positioned at equally spaced
apart distances from one another.
12. The system of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of highlighted
markings positioned in both horizontal and vertical directions on top of
every one of said one inch markings which is a multiple of twelve for
quick reference by a user and wherein said highlighted markings are
selected from a group consisting of color enhanced markings, multiple
color markings, fluorescent markings, multiple lines, dotted lines, lines
comprising a plurality of identical figures uniformly spaced apart from
one another, lines comprising a plurality of non-identical figures
uniformly spaced apart from one another, and dashed lines having a
plurality of segments identical in length and positioned at equally spaced
apart distances from one another.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein said improvement further comprises a
plurality of visually precise protractor markings each centered over an
intersection of two of said highlighted markings which is a multiple of
twelve.
14. The system of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of additional
highlighted markings positioned in both horizontal and vertical directions
on top of every one of said one inch markings which is a multiple of
sixteen for quick reference by a user and wherein said additional
highlighted markings are selected from a group consisting of color
enhanced markings, multiple color markings, fluorescent markings, multiple
lines, dotted lines, lines comprising a plurality of identical figures
uniformly spaced apart from one another, lines comprising a plurality of
non-identical figures uniformly spaced apart from one another, and dashed
lines having a plurality of segments identical in length and positioned at
equally spaced apart distances from one another.
15. The system of claim 1 wherein said unit measurement markings comprise
visually precise metric system markings.
16. The system of claim 1 wherein said unit measurement markings comprise
visually precise markings from a plurality of measurement systems.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein said unit measurement markings on one
side of the piece of construction material comprise visually precise
markings from a plurality of measurement systems.
18. The system of claim 1 wherein said marking means is selected from a
group consisting of screen printing equipment, laser printing equipment,
flexographic gravure printing equipment, and pad printing equipment.
19. The system of claim 1 wherein said improvement further comprises a
plurality of number blocks, each of said number blocks comprising at least
four numerals associated therewith, each of said numerals having a top
with said tops positioned to be adjacent to one another, each of said
number blocks being positioned at an intersection of one of said
non-perimeter horizontal unit measurement markings and one of said
non-perimeter vertical unit measurement markings.
20. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of visually
precise inter-grid markings consisting of fractional measurement markings
positioned in both horizontal and vertical directions the construction
material surface between said grid markings to provide a
grid-within-a-grid configuration for enhanced cutting accuracy.
21. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of visually
precise informational markings positioned within the central portion of
the piece of construction material.
22. The system of claim 1 wherein said unit measurement markings are
widened to provide a thin strip within which additional unit measurement
information can be placed.
23. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of nailing guides
being positioned within the central portion of the piece of construction
material.
24. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of product
specification markings being positioned within the central portion of the
piece of construction material.
25. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of curved lines
being positioned within the central portion of the piece of construction
material.
26. An improved gridded measurement system for use on at least one surface
of a substantially rectangular piece of construction material so as to
provide a visually precise means for fast and accurate cutting and
installing of construction materials whereby use thereof will reduce
construction costs by minimizing the amount of labor required to measure
construction materials, secure said construction materials in place, as
well as minimize material waste due to inaccurate cutting of the piece of
construction material, said improved gridded measurement system comprising
a plurality of visually precise horizontal unit measurement markings and a
plurality of visually precise perimeter vertical unit measurement
markings, a plurality of visually precise fractional measurement markings
positioned in both horizontal and vertical directions on said construction
material surface between said unit measurement markings, a plurality of
highlighted markings positioned in both horizontal and vertical directions
on top of the ones of said unit measurement markings which are commonly
used in construction so that said highlighted markings may be quickly
referenced by a user, a plurality of successively higher numbers
associated with said horizontal unit measurements markings and said
vertical unit measurements markings, a plurality of grid markings
positioned within the central portion of the piece of construction
material, said grid markings substantially filling the central portion,
each of said grid markings also having a spaced apart horizontal distance
from the next adjacent one of said grid markings which is identical to the
dimension of said horizontal unit measurement markings and a spaced apart
vertical distance from the next adjacent one of said grid markings which
is identical to the dimension of said vertical unit measurement markings,
said system also comprising marking means for visually precise marking of
said unit measurement markings, said grid markings, and said successively
higher numbers onto said construction material surface, wherein the
improvement comprises two of said horizontal unit measurement markings
being positioned around the perimeter of the piece of construction
material and the remainder of said horizontal unit measurement markings
being uniformly positioned throughout the central portion of the piece of
construction material to form non-perimeter horizontal unit measurement
markings, and two of said vertical unit measurement markings being
positioned around the perimeter of the piece of construction material and
the remainder of said vertical unit measurement markings being uniformly
positioned throughout the central portion of the piece of construction
material to form non-perimeter vertical unit measurement markings.
27. The system of claim 26 further comprising a plurality of additional
horizontal and vertical unit measurement markings each having a plurality
of successively higher numbers associated therewith, each of said
additional horizontal measurement markings being selected from the group
consisting of additional horizontal measurement markings positioned
adjacent to one of said horizontal unit measurement markings in an
inverted position thereto, positioned adjacent to one of said horizontal
unit measurement markings in a position where said successively higher
numbers of said additional horizontal measurement markings are in reverse
order relative to said successively higher numbers of the one of said
horizontal unit measurement markings positioned adjacent thereto, and
positioned where said successively higher numbers of said additional
horizontal measurement markings are both inverted and in reverse order
relative to said successively higher numbers of the one of said horizontal
unit measurement markings positioned adjacent thereto, and each of said
additional vertical measurement markings being selected from the group
consisting of additional vertical measurement markings positioned adjacent
to one of said vertical unit measurement markings in an inverted position
thereto, positioned adjacent to one of said vertical unit measurement
markings in a position where said successively higher numbers of said
additional vertical measurement markings are in reverse order relative to
said successively higher numbers of the one of said vertical unit
measurement markings positioned adjacent thereto, and positioned where
said successively higher numbers of said additional vertical measurement
markings are both inverted and in reverse order relative to said
successively higher numbers of the one of said vertical unit measurement
markings positioned adjacent thereto.
28. The system of claim 26 wherein said unit measurement markings comprise
visually precise one inch markings.
29. The system of claim 26 wherein said visually precise fractional
measurement markings are laser cut with flexigraphic plates and are
accurate to at least approximately one-one-thousandth of an inch.
30. The system of claim 26 wherein said highlighted markings are selected
from a group consisting of color enhanced markings, multiple color
markings, fluorescent markings, multiple lines, dotted lines, lines
comprising a plurality of identical figures uniformly spaced apart from
one another, lines comprising a plurality of non-identical figures
uniformly spaced apart from one another, and dashed lines having a
plurality of segments identical in length and positioned at equally spaced
apart distances from one another.
31. The system of claim 26 wherein for quick reference by a user said
highlighted markings are selected from a group consisting of highlighted
markings positioned in both horizontal and vertical directions on top of
every one of said one inch markings which is a multiple of twelve and
highlighted markings positioned in both horizontal and vertical directions
on top of every one of said one inch markings which is a multiple of
sixteen.
32. The system of claim 26 wherein said improvement further comprises a
plurality of visually precise protractor markings each centered over an
intersection of two of said highlighted markings which is a multiple of
twelve.
33. The system of claim 26 wherein said unit measurement markings comprise
a plurality of visually precise markings selected from the group
consisting of visually precise markings from a plurality of measurement
systems positioned on a first side of the piece of construction material,
visually precise markings from different measurement systems positioned on
opposite sides of the piece of construction material, and visually precise
markings from a plurality of measurement systems positioned on said first
side of the piece of construction material with visually precise markings
from a different measurement system positioned the side opposed to the
first side.
34. The system of claim 26 wherein said marking means is selected from a
group consisting of screen printing equipment, laser printing equipment,
flexographic gravure printing equipment, and pad printing equipment.
35. The system of claim 26 wherein said improvement further comprises
improvements selected from the group consisting of a plurality of number
blocks, each of said number blocks comprising at least four numerals
associated therewith, each of said numerals having a top with said tops
positioned to be adjacent to one another, each of said number blocks being
positioned at an intersection of one of said non-perimeter horizontal unit
measurement markings and one of said non-perimeter vertical unit
measurement markings; a plurality of visually precise inter-grid markings
consisting of fractional measurement markings positioned in both
horizontal and vertical directions on said construction material surface
between said grid markings to provide a grid-within-a-grid configuration
for enhanced cutting accuracy; a plurality of inverted numerals, each of
said inverted numerals being identical to one of said numerals and placed
in a position close thereto; a plurality of visually precise informational
markings positioned within the central portion of the piece of
construction material; said unit measurement markings being widened to
provide a thin strip within which additional unit measurement information
can be placed; a plurality of nailing guides being positioned within the
central portion; a plurality of product specification markings being
positioned within the central portion; and a plurality of curved lines
also being positioned within central portion.
36. An improved method for faster and more accurate cutting of construction
materials on a job site whereby use thereof will reduce construction costs
by minimizing the amount of labor required to measure construction
materials as well as minimizing material waste due to inaccurate cutting
of construction materials, said method comprising the steps of providing a
plurality of rectangular pieces of construction material and at least one
cutting tool, wherein said providing of said pieces of construction
material comprises the providing of pieces which have been marked with
visually precise horizontal unit measurement markings and visually precise
vertical unit measurement markings around the complete perimeter of at
least one surface of each of said pieces of construction material, a
plurality of visually precise successively higher numbers onto each of
said pieces of construction material so that each of said numbers becomes
associated with one of said unit measurements markings, a plurality of
visually precise fractional markings onto each of said pieces of
construction material between each of said horizontal unit measurement
markings and vertical unit measurement markings, a plurality of visually
precise grid markings centrally upon each of said construction material
surfaces so that said grid markings substantially fill each construction
material surface between said perimeter horizontal unit measurement
markings and said perimeter vertical unit measurement markings, said grid
markings each being marked so that it has a spaced apart horizontal
distance from the next adjacent one of said grid markings which is
identical to the dimension of each of said perimeter horizontal unit
measurement markings and a spaced apart vertical distance from the next
adjacent one of said grid markings which is identical to the dimension of
each of said perimeter vertical unit measurement markings; determining the
horizontal and vertical dimensions of the required cut in each piece of
construction material provided; instantaneously identifying said
horizontal dimension visually along one of said horizontal unit
measurement markings on said construction material surface;
instantaneously also identifying said vertical dimension visually along
one of said vertical unit measurement markings on said construction
material surface; and using said cutting tool to make said required cut
between said identified perimeter horizontal unit measurement marking and
said identified perimeter vertical unit measurement marking while
concurrently using said grid markings to guide said cutting tool in a
straight line path between each of said identified perimeter horizontal
unit measurement markings and the corresponding ones of said identified
perimeter vertical unit measurement markings, wherein the improvement
comprises the additional steps of providing pieces of said construction
materials which have also been marked with a plurality of precise
non-perimeter horizontal unit measurement markings and a plurality of
precise non-perimeter vertical unit measurement markings uniformly
throughout the central portion of said construction material surface and
visually using said non-perimeter horizontal unit measurement markings and
said non-perimeter vertical unit measurement markings to also guide said
cutting tool for improved speed and accuracy of making said required cut.
37. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of providing said
pieces of construction material also having additional features selected
from the group consisting of a plurality of highlighted markings in both
horizontal and vertical directions onto said construction material surface
in association with those of said unit measurement markings which are
commonly used in construction, a plurality of inverted numerals on said
construction material surface which are identical to the numeral
positioned adjacent thereto, a plurality of number blocks on said
construction material surface, a plurality of inverted and reversed unit
measurement markings and a plurality of inverted and reversed fractional
measurement markings onto said construction material surface, a plurality
of informational markings on said construction material surface, a
plurality of nailing guides, a plurality of product specification
markings, and a plurality of curved lines, and said method also further
comprising the step of visually using said additional features for more
accurately and rapidly identifying needed unit measurement markings to
further guide said cutting tool for improved speed and accuracy of making
said required cut.
38. The method of claim 36 wherein said step of providing said pieces of
construction materials comprises the step of providing pieces of
construction materials which have been marked with equipment selected from
a group consisting of screen printing equipment, laser printing equipment,
flexographic gravure printing equipment, and pad printing equipment.
39. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of using opposite
corners of a plurality of said grid markings to make angled cuts.
40. The method of claim 36 further comprising the steps of providing said
pieces of construction material having a plurality of visually precise
protractor markings on said construction material surface, and using said
protractor markings in combination with said opposite corners of said grid
markings to make angled cuts through said construction material surface.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to methods and devices for accurately cutting
construction materials, specifically to an improved time saving
measurement system and a method by which to enhance the efficiency and
accuracy of cutting construction materials on a job site, the system and
method involving the imprinting during manufacture of grids and other
measurement markings onto one or more surfaces of the construction
materials. Applications may include, but are not limited to, use on
structural and non-structural panels such as wallboard; shower board;
oriented strand board (OSB); insulation; gypsum board; plywood; fire
retardant panel products; HARDE BACKER and other HARDE PANEL products both
manufactured by the James Harde Corporation from wood pulp fiber and/or
fiber cement/ gypsum and/or a combination thereof; structural and
non-structural panels manufactured by Louisiana-Pacific Corporation such
as their TOP KNOTCH.RTM. tongue-and-groove OSB flooring product and their
OSB sheathing products including TECH SHIELD.RTM., structural and
non-structural panels manufactured by United States Gypsum Company such as
their cementatious board DURROCK.RTM., and interior sheetrock gypsum
panels including GREEN BOARD.RTM.; structural and non-structural panels
manufactured by Custom Building Products, Inc., including their
WONDERBOARD.RTM. product for underlayment; structural and non-structural
panels manufactured by Georgia Pacific Corporation and Willamette
Industries, Inc. such as their plywood products for wall sheathing, roof
laydowns, and flooring; and any other essentially rectangular material
which must be cut to exact measurements on a construction or renovation
job site.
2. Description of Prior Art
During construction and renovation work building materials must be
accurately measured prior to cutting to ensure that they will perform the
functions for which they were intended. When building materials are
mismeasured and a cut piece is too large for its intended use, additional
time must be spent to reshape it. If a cut piece is too small and
subsequently used, gaps may be present in a finished structure which
detract from its appearance, and the functional integrity of the structure
may also be compromised. Materials cut too small and discarded result in
financial loss. Therefore, it is desirable to have a means for accurately
and expediently cutting building materials on construction and renovation
job sites.
One way to create a smaller piece of construction material out of a larger
one is through the use of a tape measure and a marking device, such as a
pencil, to place a series of small marks upon at least one surface of the
large piece of construction material at a measured distance from one of
its straight edges. The person cutting the material may then use the marks
as an approximate cutting guide. In the alternative, the person needing to
cut the construction material can connect two or more of the marks with a
line, such as by use of a snapped chalk line or by using a pencil and a
straight edged device, the line then being used as the cutting guide. The
main disadvantage of making and connecting measurements marked on a piece
of construction material at a job site is that it is time consuming. When
sufficient time is taken to accurately place the marks, the accuracy of
the cut is greatly improved, but at the expense of increased labor cost.
Also, human error is commonly associated with the field measurement of
multiple marks on a piece of construction material. People coming to work
tired for a variety of reasons, those working outside for extended hours
in extreme temperature conditions, and those pressured to finish a project
in a short period of time, do not always focus their attention on the tape
measure markings and can easily misread them, particularly the fractional
markings. Also, lines which are thickly marked onto construction materials
may also lead to cutting errors, particularly when a variance in the
portion of the thick line cut is extended the full length of a four foot
by eight foot, four foot by ten foot, or four foot by twelve foot sheet of
construction material. The mistakes which result from such cutting errors
waste both time and materials if they are not corrected prior to cutting.
Cutting tools are also known which aid in making precise cuts in drywall
and other construction materials. The invention in U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,965
to Rowley (1993) discloses a utility knife with an angled structure
associated with its housing which provides a guiding surface for making
angled or mitered cuts along the edge of a piece of construction material,
such as drywall. The invention in U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,342 to Lang, Jr.
(1993) discloses a knife fastened to a rod which passes through an opening
in a guide that rides along the edge of a piece of construction material.
Graduations on the rod allow new cut widths without the repeated use of
tape measures and marking devices.
Intersecting and angled lines printed upon construction materials are also
known. The inventions in U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,402 to Putz (1989), U.S. Pat.
No. 4,870,788 to Hassan (1989), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,489 to Robell,
(1997) all disclose lined patterns on construction materials to facilitate
the use and placement thereof. The present invention is an improvement in
the gridded measurement system and method disclosed by Robell in the 1997
patent mentioned above. The improvements incorporated into the present
invention comprise the addition of multiple non-perimeter horizontal and
vertical unit measurement markings uniformly positioned within the central
portion of the construction material surface; multiple protractor markings
positioned within the central portion of the construction material
surface; inverted numerals on the perimeter and non-perimeter horizontal
and vertical unit measurement markings, reversed perimeter and
non-perimeter unit measurement markings; number blocks at intersections of
horizontal and vertical unit measurement markings; centrally positioned
informational markings; nailing guides, product specifications including
trademarked phrases and company names, and short and extended curved line
superimposed on the gridded system. These improvements provide a person
needing to cut construction materials with an even faster and more
accurate system and method for the cutting of construction materials than
is possible with any known prior art, particularly when the person is
cutting irregularly shaped remnant pieces of construction material. Use of
the present invention also minimizes construction waste due to
mismeasurement, and each piece of the present invention used on a
construction site, including remnant pieces, will provide a handy onsite,
time-saving reference for other measurement needs, a reference that can be
accurate to one-one-thousandth of an inch, or its equivalent, when
markings are laser cut.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION--OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
It is the primary object of this invention to provide an improved system
and method by which to enhance the accuracy of cutting pieces of
construction materials so as to prevent waste of construction materials.
It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved time saving
means by which to accurately cut pieces of construction materials. A
further object of this invention is to provide an easy and expedited means
for making angled or mitered cuts on pieces of construction materials. It
is also an object of this invention to provide imprinted measuring grids
on pieces of construction material which are sized and highlighted in a
variety of commonly used measuring units. A further object of this
invention is to provide an imprinted multiple grids-within-a-grid
measuring system having fractional measurements for accurate measurement
to one-one thousandth of an inch, or its equivalent. It is a further
object of this invention to provide other features superimposed over the
multiple grids-within-a-grid system to meet specialized construction
needs.
As described herein, properly manufactured and imprinted on a piece of
construction material, the present invention would provide an improved
time saving means for accurately cutting construction materials. Precisely
marked gridded lines, spaced apart from one another in standard
measurement units, would be placed both horizontally and vertically on at
least one surface of a piece of construction material. Numerals would be
marked in association with whole measuring units for fast identification
of dimensions which are required for a cut. In one preferred embodiment of
the present invention, each numeral used in the perimeter horizontal and
vertical unit measurement markings would have an identical inverted number
associated therewith so that a person standing on any side of a
rectangular piece of construction material can easily see a non-inverted
numeral on both the near side and the opposed side of the material. Unit
measurement markings could be placed around the perimeter of a piece of
construction material or at a preset spaced-apart distance from the actual
perimeter of the piece of construction material. Fractional markings would
also be available for increased precision in cutting the construction
material and could allow a cutting accuracy of at least one-one-thousandth
of an inch, or its equivalent, when such markings are laser cut. It is
contemplated for all such markings to be visually precise and imprinted on
the construction material with an accuracy of one-one-thousandth of an
inch. It is also contemplated for the lines marking commonly used
measurements, such as the sixteen inch measurement between studs, to be
highlighted, darkened, doubled, tripled, dashed, dotted, color enhanced,
or otherwise enhanced on the grid for quick reference. Although angled and
mitered cuts could be easily made by cutting along the opposite corners of
a predetermined number of grids counted in both horizontal and vertical
directions, in another preferred embodiment multiple protractors are
positioned upon the surface of the construction material to facilitate the
cutting of angled lines, particularly on previously cut remnant pieces of
construction material. Depending on the size of the construction material
sheet, the protractors could be centered, placed at alternate
intersections of horizontal and vertical unit measurement markings, placed
at intersections of horizontal and vertical unit measurement markings
adjacent to each corner of the sheet, or placed in any other position or
pattern helpful to a particular use. Also, although not critical, it is
contemplated for the protractor markings to be accurately imprinted upon
the construction materials in contrasting colors which enhance their
visibility, but at the same time not to detract from the use of the
gridded measurement markings adjacent to them. The gridded measurement
markings aid in providing a quick measurement reference and also provide
convenient guides for cutting straight lines through construction
material. Further, a quick glance at the markings on a remnant piece of
construction material having the grid measurement system of the present
invention will more rapidly reveal the presence of a straight edge, a
90-degree angle between adjacent edges without measurement, or whether the
piece has the minimum dimension required for a particular purpose. In a
third embodiment of the present invention additional non-perimeter
horizontal and vertical unit measurement markings are uniformly positioned
centrally on the surface of the construction material. While helpful in
making more rapid original cuts on construction materials, such
non-perimeter horizontal and vertical unit measurement markings are
particularly useful in cutting construction material remnants. In the
present invention it is contemplated for at least one non-perimeter
horizontal and one non-perimeter vertical measurement unit marking to be
placed at regularly spaced intervals between adjacent highlighted
markings. It is also contemplated for the present invention to comprise
inverted and/or reversed unit measurement markings associated with both
perimeter and non-perimeter horizontal and vertical unit measurement
markings, widened unit measurement markings which provide a narrow strip
of measurement information such as "1F", "2F", etc. or 16", 32", 48",
etc., number blocks repeatedly associated with certain identified
intersections of horizontal and vertical unit measurement markings, and
informational markings such as but not limited to the type of measurement
systems used and the type of measurements enhanced by highlighted
markings, seasonal messages, product specification markings to include
display of company logos, company names, and/or trademarked phrases, as
well as nailing guides and various curved lines superimposed over the
multiple gridded measurement system to meet specialized construction
needs, such as those of the marine industry.
The description herein provides preferred embodiments of the present
invention but should not be construed as limiting its scope. Variations in
the units used to configure the grids, the selection of fractional
markings displayed, the number of protractor markings used, the number of
non-perimeter horizontal and vertical unit measurement markings used, the
configuration and pattern of the nailing guides used, the selection of
commonly used construction measurements chosen for highlighting,
darkening, doubling, tripling, dashing, dotting, or color enhancing, the
frequency of the numerals used to identify grid units, and the use of
numerals for other grid measurement markings, other than those shown and
described herein, can be incorporated into the present invention. Thus the
scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims
and their legal equivalents, rather than the examples given.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional top view of a first preferred embodiment of the
invention having multiple protractor markings positioned thereon.
FIG. 2 is a sectional top view of a second preferred embodiment of the
invention having an identical inverted numeral positioned adjacent to each
of the numerals within the perimeter horizontal and vertical unit
measurement markings.
FIG. 3 is a sectional top view of a third preferred embodiment of the
invention having multiple non-perimeter horizontal and vertical unit
measurement markings positioned thereon.
FIG. 4 is a sectional top view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the
invention having multiple non-perimeter horizontal and vertical unit
measurement markings positioned thereon and multiple protractor markings
also positioned thereon and placed over the intersections of the enhanced
twelve inch lines.
FIG. 5 is a sectional top view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the
invention having inverted and reversed perimeter horizontal unit
measurement markings, inverted and reversed vertical unit measurement
markings, and centrally positioned number blocks comprising inverted
horizontal and vertical measurement markings.
FIG. 6 is a sectional top view of a sixth preferred embodiment of the
invention having centrally positioned number blocks comprising inverted
horizontal and vertical measurement markings and centrally positioned
informational markings.
FIG. 7 is a sectional top view of a seventh preferred embodiment of the
invention having nailing guides positioned on selected intersections of
unit measurement markings.
FIG. 8 is a sectional top view of an eighth preferred embodiment of the
invention having a trademarked logo positioned superimposed over unit
measurement markings.
FIG. 9 is a sectional top view of a ninth preferred embodiment of the
invention having special purpose curved lines positioned over unit
measurement markings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows the upper right portion of a first preferred embodiment of an
improved gridded measurement system 2 for use with a variety of building
materials (not shown), to include but not be limited to wallboard, shower
board, oriented strand board (OSB), insulation, fire retardant panel
product, gypsum board, plywood, and any other essentially rectangular
material, particularly four foot by eight foot, four foot by ten foot, and
four foot by twelve foot sheets, which must be cut to exact measurements
on a construction or a renovation job site. In addition, it is
contemplated for gridded measurement system 2 to be used for the placement
of visually precise units measurement markings on construction materials
which have length and width dimensions ranging between a minimum of
approximately one foot and a maximum of approximately thirty-six feet, a
thickness dimension ranging between a minimum of approximately one-eighth
of an inch and a maximum of approximately four inches, and which are
configured as engineered wood products including oriented strand board
(OSB); fiber cement products; combination products comprising both fiber
cement and wood fiber; cementatious products; products comprising radiant
barriers; tongue-and-groove panel products; panel products with one or
more ship-lap type edges on one side; panel products with one or more
ship-lap type edges on both sides; panel products with paint grade type
faces; panel products with decorative paintable faces consisting of
grooved patterns; and panel products with decorative paintable faces
consisting of various wood grain textures including T-111.
Although the length and width dimensions of gridded measurement system 2
can vary according to a particular need, FIG. 1 shows gridded measurement
system 2 being three feet wide and of an undetermined length. It is
contemplated for gridded measurement system 2 to be applied to at least
one flat surface of a piece of construction material (not shown), however,
gridded measurement system 2 may be applied to all surfaces appropriate
for a particular use. FIG. 1 shows gridded measurement system 2 having
visually precise one-fourth inch markings 6, visually precise one-eighth
inch markings 20, visually precise one-half inch markings 8, visually
precise one inch markings 10, twelve inch enhanced markings 12, and
sixteen inch highlighted markings 14 indicated in both horizontal and
vertical directions. Although not shown, one inch markings 10 could be
made wider than shown in FIG. 1 to comprise very thin measuring strips
consisting of visually precise one-fourth inch markings 6, visually
precise one-eighth inch markings 20, visually precise one-half inch
markings 8, visually precise twelve inch enhanced markings 12, and
visually precise sixteen inch highlighted markings 14, or combinations
thereof with visually precise inverted numerals, shown in FIG. 2 as number
18, or inverted and reversed measuring strips similar to the opposed
perimeter measuring strips shown in FIG. 5. As a further example, such
widened one inch markings 10 could also provide markings of "1F", "2F",
"3F", "4F", "5F", 6"F", "7F", "8F", and the like, or markings of 16", 32",
48", 64", "80", and the like.
Sixteen inch highlighted markings 14 are used as a quick reference for the
sixteen inch distance commonly used in the construction industry between
studs (not shown). FIG. 1 also shows gridded measurement system 2 having
visually precise numerals 4 associated with one inch markings 10 and
visually precise protractor markings 16 positioned at the intersections of
horizontal and vertical twelve inch enhanced markings 12. Although FIG. 1
shows protractor markings 16 placed in association with every such
intersection, such placement is not critical and it is contemplated for a
sufficient number of protractor markings 16 to be placed uniformly within
the central portion of the surface of the construction material so as to
enhance the speed with which angled cuts in the construction material can
be made. In contrast, on smaller sheets of construction materials (not
shown), one large protractor marking 16 could be centered thereon, or four
protractor markings 16 could be used with one protractor marking 16
positioned adjacent to each of the sheet's four corners. Also, the
orientation of each protractor marking 16 within each intersection is not
critical, as long as the zero mark of each is positioned along one of the
four underlying twelve inch enhanced markings 12 within the intersection.
As a result, FIG. 1 shows the zero mark of the upper protractor marking 16
pointing toward the top of FIG. 1 and the zero mark of the lower
protractor marking 16 pointing toward the bottom of FIG. 1.
Although the preferred embodiment of gridded measurement system 2 shown in
FIG. 1 shows markings in inches, it is contemplated for markings to also
be in other commonly used measurement units, such as metric units.
Further, it is also contemplated for numerals 4 to be associated with
markings other than one inch markings 10, and to be associated with either
odd or even one inch markings 10. In addition, it is contemplated for
commonly used measurements needed for reference, other than twelve inch
markings 12 and sixteen inch markings 14 to be highlighted or enhanced. It
is also contemplated for highlighting and enhancing to include, but not be
limited to, color enhancement, darkening of lines, doubling of lines,
tripling of lines, and a series of dots adjacent to or in place of a line.
In addition to dots, other objects could be used for enhancement such as
stars, percent signs, crosses, dollar signs, cents signs, diamonds,
hearts, cloverleaves, and a string of alphabet letters. Highlighting could
also include dashed lines with each dashed mark having an identical
measurement useful to the construction industry; such as one-half inch
marking 8 with spaces between each dashed mark also having the same
identical measurement. Although FIG. 1 shows one-fourth inch markings 6,
one-half inch markings 8, and one-eighth inch markings 20, it is
contemplated to have other fractional markings as needed to suit a
particular construction purpose. Also, although not critical, it is
contemplated for protractor markings 16 to be imprinted in a color
contrasting with the color used to imprint one-half inch markings 8, one
inch markings 10, twelve inch enhanced markings 12, and sixteen inch
highlighted markings 14. Further, although protractor markings 16 are
shown in the form of a ring with a single set of numbers therearound, it
is contemplated for protractor markings 16 to have other configurations,
dimensions and positioning as long as protractor markings 16 are
sufficiently large and precisely marked to be easily and accurately used.
For example, protractor markings 16 could also have an inverted set of
numerals within its measurement ring; an inverted set of numerals
positioned outside its measurement ring; different numerals between
adjacent twelve inch enhanced markings 12, such as 45, 30 and 60, or 30,
45, and 60; or be positioned between the intersections of every other
twelve inch enhanced marking 12.
Angled and mitered cuts are easily and accurately made using the visual
precision of gridded measurement system 2, either through use of
protractor markings 16 or through use of one inch markings 10. For
example, a 45-degree angled cut may be made by cutting through opposite
corners of one inch markings 10. Other angles may be cut along the
opposite corners of a predetermined number of one inch markings 10 counted
in both horizontal and vertical directions. For convenience in cutting
such angles, a straight edge (not shown) and a marking device (not shown),
such as a chalk line, may be used to draw a line connecting the counted
opposite corners. However, no angle measurements need to be determined
with a separate protractor tool (not shown), the misalignment of which
during measurement is a common source of error. It is contemplated for
gridded measurement system 2 to be imprinted on construction materials of
any thickness, as well as construction materials which have length and
width dimensions ranging between a minimum of approximately one foot and a
maximum of approximately thirty-six feet. Gridded measurement system 2 can
be imprinted for an insignificant cost, as compared to the cost of the
construction material itself (not shown), by screen printing, laser guided
printing, or pad printing. When laser guided printing is used,
flexigraphic plates can be laser cut to one-one-thousandths of an inch
accuracy, and it is the most preferred method of use for making gridded
measurement system 2.
FIG. 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of an improved gridded
measurement system 2. FIG. 2 shows gridded measurement system 2 having
visually precise one-fourth inch markings 6, visually precise one-eighth
inch markings 20, visually precise one-half inch markings 8, visually
precise one inch markings 10, twelve inch enhanced markings 12, and
sixteen inch highlighted markings 14 indicated in both horizontal and
vertical directions. FIG. 2 also shows gridded measurement system 2 having
visually precise numerals 4 associated with one inch markings 10 and an
inverted numeral 18 associated with each numeral 4. The use of inverted
numerals 18 allow a person (not shown) positioned on any side of a piece
of construction materials, or remnant thereof, to see non-inverted numbers
on the opposed side for easier and more rapid identification of needed
measurement markings. Although FIG. 2 only shows numerals 4 associated
with one inch markings 10 and inverted numerals 18 associated with
numerals 4, in the preferred embodiment of gridded measurement system 2 it
is contemplated to have numerals 4 associated with any measurement marking
and inverted numerals 18 associated with any or all numerals 4. It is also
contemplated for numerals 4 and inverted numerals 18 to complement one
another. For example, numerals 4 could comprise only odd numbers with
inverted numerals 18 comprising even numbers; both numerals 4 and inverted
numerals 18 could comprise every consecutively increasing third number or
every consecutively increasing fourth number; or various combinations of
numerals 4 and inverted numerals 18 could be positioned in the central
portions of a piece of construction material, between the perimeter
horizontal and vertical unit measurement markings to enhance the speed
with which a person needing to cut a piece of construction material can
locate needed dimensions.
FIG. 3 shows a third preferred embodiment of an improved gridded
measurement system 2. FIG. 3 shows gridded measurement system 2 having
visually precise one-fourth inch markings 6, visually precise one-eighth
inch markings 20, visually precise one-half inch markings 8, visually
precise one inch markings 10, twelve inch enhanced markings 12, and
sixteen inch highlighted markings 14 indicated in both horizontal and
vertical directions. FIG. 3 also shows gridded measurement system 2 having
visually precise numerals 4 associated with one inch markings 10. In
addition, FIG. 3 shows one-fourth inch markings 6, one-eighth inch
markings 20, one-half inch markings 8, and one inch markings 10 positioned
both horizontally and vertically around the perimeter of gridded
measurement system 2, as well as at various positions throughout the
central portion of gridded measurement system 2. Although the
configuration and number of the centrally positioned one-fourth inch
markings 6, one-eighth inch markings 20, one-half inch markings 8, and one
inch markings 10 is not critical, it is contemplated that they be
sufficient in number and configuration to enhance the ease and speed of
use of the construction material (not shown) on which it is imprinted. For
example, alternative configurations could include, but would not be
limited to, the placement of one-fourth inch markings 6, one-eighth inch
markings 20, one-half inch markings 8, and one inch markings 10 every
sixth inch both horizontally and vertically; similar markings placed every
fourth inch both horizontally and vertically; similar markings placed
every fifth centimeter both horizontally and vertically; similar markings
placed centrally between every other consecutive twelve inch marking 12;
or similar markings placed once horizontally and once vertically through
the centers of the piece of construction material. Also, as in the
discussion above concerning FIG. 1, every one inch marking 10, or selected
one inch markings 10, could be widened to comprise very thin measuring
strips consisting of visually precise one-fourth inch markings 6, visually
precise one-eighth inch markings 20, visually precise one-half inch
markings 8, visually precise twelve inch enhanced markings 12, and
visually precise sixteen inch highlighted markings 14, or combinations
thereof with visually precise inverted numerals, shown in FIG. 2 as number
18, or inverted and reversed measuring strips similar to the opposed
perimeter measuring strips shown in FIG. 5. As a further example, such
widened one inch markings 10 could also provide markings of "1F", "2F",
"3F", "4F", "5F", 6"F", "7F", "8F", and the like, or markings of 16", 32",
48", 64", "80", and the like.
FIG. 4 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of an improved gridded
measurement system 2. FIG. 4 shows gridded measurement system 2 having
visually precise one-fourth inch markings 6, visually precise one-eighth
inch markings 20, visually precise one-half inch markings 8, visually
precise one inch markings 10, twelve inch enhanced markings 12, and
sixteen inch highlighted markings 14 indicated in both horizontal and
vertical directions. FIG. 4 also shows gridded measurement system 2 having
visually precise numerals 4 associated with one inch markings 10;
one-fourth inch markings 6, one-eighth inch markings 20, one-half inch
markings 8, and one inch markings 10 positioned both horizontally and
vertically around the perimeter of gridded measurement system 2, as well
as at various positions throughout the central portion of gridded
measurement system 2; and multiple protractor markings 16 positioned over
the intersections of twelve inch markings 12. The combination of multiple
protractor markings 16 and one-fourth inch markings 6, one-eighth inch
markings 20, one-half inch markings 8, and one inch markings 10 positioned
both horizontally and vertically around the perimeter of gridded
measurement system 2, as well as at various positions throughout the
central portion of gridded measurement system 2 is particularly suited to
construction projects where many smaller pieces of construction materials
must be cut from larger ones.
FIG. 5 shows a fifth preferred embodiment of an improved gridded
measurement system 2. FIG. 5 shows gridded measurement system 2 having
visually precise one-fourth inch markings 6, visually precise one-eighth
inch markings 20, visually precise one-half inch markings 8, visually
precise one inch markings 10, twelve inch enhanced markings 12, and
sixteen inch highlighted markings 14 indicated in both horizontal and
vertical directions. FIG. 5 also shows gridded measurement system 2 having
visually precise numerals 4 associated with one inch markings 10; inverted
and reversed perimeter horizontal and vertical measurement markings to
include one-fourth inch markings 6, one-eighth inch markings 20, one-half
inch markings 8, and one inch markings 10; and centrally positioned number
blocks 22 comprising inverted and reversed horizontal measurement
markings, as well as inverted and reversed vertical measurement markings.
Although FIG. 5 shows number blocks 22 positioned at every intersection of
twelve inch enhanced markings 12, it is contemplated for number blocks 22
to be positioned at any combination of intersections of one inch markings
10, twelve inch enhanced markings 12, or sixteen inch highlighted markings
14. FIG. 5 shows adjacent number blocks 22 having numbers facing each
direction which increase from left to right, but it is also contemplated
for adjacent number blocks 22 to have numbers which increase from right to
left. The inverted and reversed perimeter horizontal and vertical
measurement markings which include one-fourth inch markings 6, one-eighth
inch markings 20, one-half inch markings 8, and one inch markings 10, can
similarly comprises numbers which increase from left to right, as well as
from right to left. The color used to mark number blocks 22 is not
critical, but in the preferred embodiment it is contemplated for number
blocks to comprise contrasting colors so that they are easily and rapidly
distinguishable. The combination of number blocks 22 and one-fourth inch
markings 6, one-eighth inch markings 20, one-half inch markings 8, and one
inch markings 10 positioned both horizontally and vertically around the
perimeter of gridded measurement system 2, is also well-suited to
construction projects where many smaller pieces of construction materials
must be cut from larger ones, as well as in situations where efficient use
of construction material remnant pieces is important.
FIG. 6 shows a sixth preferred embodiment of gridded measurement system 2.
FIG. 6 shows gridded measurement system 2 having visually precise
one-fourth inch markings 6, visually precise one-eighth inch markings 20,
visually precise one-half inch markings 8, visually precise one inch
markings 10, twelve inch enhanced markings 12, and sixteen inch
highlighted markings 14 along one portion of its perimeter. FIG. 6 also
shows gridded measurement system 2 having visually precise numerals 4
associated with one inch markings 10, as well as centrally positioned
informational markings 24 and centrally positioned number blocks 22
comprising inverted horizontal and vertical measurement markings. In the
preferred embodiment it is contemplated for informational markings 24 to
marked with contrasting colors for enhanced visibility and to be used for,
but not be limited to, the providing of information about measurement
markings and/or highlighting for a special purpose, the providing of
information about the type of measurement units used, and the display of
seasonal messages. FIG. 6 shows the measurement markings in adjacent
number blocks 22 increasing from left to right and identifying the number
of inches a particular intersection is located from the next adjacent left
twelve inch enhanced marking 12. However, it is also contemplated for the
measurement markings in adjacent number blocks 22 to increase from right
to left and identify the number of inches a particular intersection is
located from the next adjacent right twelve inch enhanced marking 12.
Although not shown, it is further contemplated for the measurement
markings in adjacent number blocks 22 to increase or decrease relative to
one another to identify the number of inches each particular intersection
is located in a chosen direction from one of the horizontal or vertical
perimeters of the piece of construction material on which gridded
measurement system 2 is imprinted.
FIGS. 7-9 show three additional embodiments of gridded measurement system
2. FIG. 7 shows the present invention having nailing guides 26 positioned
over unit measurement marking lines. However, the size and configuration
of nailing guides 26 are not critical as long as they can be easily and
rapidly identified by a user (not shown). In the preferred embodiment it
is also contemplated that nailing guides 26 be marked with contrasting
colors for enhanced visibility. Although in FIG. 7 nailing guides are
shown positioned over intersections of unit measurement markings and
positioned at the mid-point between two unit measurement markings, it is
contemplated for nailing guides to be positioned anywhere on the present
invention necessary to satisfy a specialized construction purpose.
FIG. 8 shows the present invention having a product specification marking
28 thereon. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention it is
contemplated for product specification markings 28 to include but not
limited to trademarked logos, manufacturer names, the logos of builders
and developers, and the names and logos of retailers and distributors. In
the preferred embodiment it is also contemplated for product specification
markings 28 to be marked upon gridded measurement system 2 in contrasting
colors for enhanced visibility, and also to be placed upon gridded
measurement system 2 in such a way as to not totally obscure the unit
measurement markings beneath them. The placement and size of product
specification markings 28 are not critical as long as the unit measurement
markings of gridded measurement system 2 are not obscured or rendered slow
to use. FIG. 9 shows gridded measurement system 2 having short curved
lines 30, extended curved lines 32, and curved line intersections 34
positioned thereon to meet special purpose construction needs such as, but
not limited to, those of the marine industry. In the preferred embodiment
it is contemplated for short curved lines 30, extended curved lines 32,
and curved line intersections 34 to be marked with contrasting colors for
enhanced visibility. The number and positioning of short curved lines 30,
extended curved lines 32, and curved line intersections 34 used is not
critical.
As one can see from the above descriptions of the nine embodiments, many
more combinations of protractor markings 16; inverted numerals 18;
reversed and inverted centrally positioned one-fourth inch markings 6,
one-eighth inch markings 20, one-half inch markings 8, and one inch
markings 10; reversed and inverted perimeter horizontal and vertical
measurement markings which include one-fourth inch markings 6, one-eighth
inch markings 20, one-half inch markings 8, and one inch markings 10;
number blocks 22, informational markings 24, nailing guides 26, product
specification markings 28, short curved lines 30, extended curved lines
32, and curved line intersections 34 are within the scope of the present
invention. For example, inverted numerals 16 could be combined with both
protractor markings 16 and reversed and inverted centrally positioned
one-fourth inch markings 6, one-eighth inch markings 20, one-half inch
markings 8, and one inch markings 10 to form a tenth embodiment of gridded
measurement system 2. Similarly, number blocks 22 could be combined with
protractor markings 16 to form an eleventh embodiment of gridded
measurement system 2, and number blocks 22 could be combined with
protractor markings 16 and centrally positioned one-fourth inch markings
6, one-eighth inch markings 20, one-half inch markings 8, and one inch
markings 10 to form a twelfth embodiment thereof. Further, product
specification markings 28 in the form of a company logo could be added to
nailing guides 26 and any other of the above-mentioned features of other
embodiments to create a distinct and different embodiment. Thus, the
present invention should be determined by the content of the claims and
not limited only to the examples given.
Through the use of the present invention alone, a person needing to cut a
piece of construction material having improved gridded measurement system
2 imprinted thereon can make precise angled cuts, precise straight cuts,
or combinations of straight and angled cuts in construction materials with
greater speed and accuracy than is possible with prior art means of
measuring construction materials for cutting. The addition of nailing
guides 26 to the present invention would allow pieces of construction
material to also be more rapidly secured into place. With the present
invention remnant pieces of construction materials (not shown) can be
instantly assessed for size and straight edges. Also, once in place,
construction material having gridded measurement system 2 imprinted
thereon can be used as a handy on-site measurement reference for a variety
of subsequent measuring and placement needs. Dual use of horizontal and
vertical unit measurement markings in different measuring systems is also
contemplated on the same sheet of construction material, such as the use
of one inch markings 10 in combination with metric system markings. One
measuring system could be displayed on one side of the sheet while the
second system imprinted for display on the opposite side of the sheet, or
the markings from the different measuring systems could be displayed
adjacent to one another on the same side of the sheet. Use of dual
markings from more than one measurement system would permit the present
invention to be rapidly used on a wider variety of job sites.
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